Introduction Contents History Emissions Exposure Case study Links Issues Way forward References

Health effects of airborne pollutants Adverse health effects are associated with emissions from burning solid fuels such as coal and wood in open fireplaces and stoves.  Perhaps the most harmful pollutant in smoky emissions are inhalable particles often known by their size as PM10's which are airborne particles less than 10 micrometres across.  Other smoke particles are classified by their size as PM2.5; PM1.0 and PM0.1.   Coarser PM10 particles lodge in the trachea and lung.  Finer, smaller particles may enter the blood system and lodge in the body’s major organs including the brain.   The total quantity of these small smoke particles from home fires may not be as large as other sources such as transport, power generation and industry but they do produce high and harmful concentrations of pollutants in close vicinity to people.   Smoke particles are mostly carbon but other harmful substances are also emitted either as a vapour or attached to the particles.  These substances include sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, dioxins, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals.

Pollutants Particles carbon monoxide Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Dioxins (including furans and PCB's) Metals Benzene Sulphur dioxide Nitrogen dioxide